Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Trace elements and vitamin B12 levels predict survival in dogs
By Yanar, Kerim Emre et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Department of Internal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prognostic Roles of Trace Element and Cobalamin Concentrations in Dogs With Parvoviral Enteritis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs diagnosed with parvoviral enteritis (CPV) showed different levels of certain trace elements in their blood, which might help predict their chances of recovery. Surviving dogs had higher levels of copper and lower levels of zinc and cobalamin (a type of vitamin B12) compared to healthy dogs. In contrast, dogs that did not survive had even higher copper levels and much lower zinc and cobalamin levels. These findings suggest that measuring these trace elements could help veterinarians assess the prognosis for dogs with CPV and guide treatment decisions.
People also search for: dog parvovirus treatment · signs of parvovirus in dogs · dog copper zinc levels · cobalamin deficiency in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The trace elements copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) have been the focus of research into their potential roles in the prognosis of gastrointestinal disorders in humans. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the predictive potential serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cu/Zn, Se, and cobalamin as possible prognostic indicators in dogs with parvoviral enteritis (CPV). ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs diagnosed with CPV (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 10). METHODS: A case-controlled study. Serum concentrations of Cu and Zn were measured using a spectrophotometric method; serum Se levels were determined by mass spectrophotometry; and serum cobalamin concentrations were assessed using a chemiluminescent immunoassay method. The Mann-Whitney U test was employed to compare subgroup medians. RESULTS: Upon admission, surviving dogs with CPV (n = 10) exhibited higher serum Cu concentrations (median = 154.24; range = 60.15-188.46 μg/dL) and Cu/Zn ratios (median = 1.52; range = 0.67-2.45), alongside lower serum Zn concentrations (median = 88.05; range = 51.3-129.2 μg/dL) and cobalamin levels (median = 252.5; range = 111-396 pg/mL), compared to the control group (Cu, median = 72.12; range = 47.04-90.26 μg/dL), Zn (median = 184.2; range = 73.0-262.7 μg/dL), Cu/Zn (median = 0.37; range = 0.26-0.73), cobalamin (median = 638.5; range = 306.0-1016 pg/mL). Additionally, non-surviving dogs (n = 10) exhibited markedly higher serum Cu concentrations (median = 193.5; range = 125.0-229.0 μg/dL) and Cu/Zn ratios (median = 5.45; range = 1.95-9.23), and significantly lower serum Zn (median = 37.75; range = 24.8-71.6 μg/dL), Se (median = 52.45; range = 21.27-91 μg/L), and cobalamin levels (median = 52.2; range = 20.0-147.0 pg/mL) compared to both survivors and controls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Statistical variations in serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, and cobalamin, alongside Cu/Zn ratios, were observed among survivors, non-survivors, and controls (control-survivor and survivor-non-survivor: p < 0.05 and control-non-survivor: p < 0.01), which might suggest their potential prognostic value in CPV.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40048398/